There was chaos in Mingde Palace, but Huayang Palace was peaceful.
Fu Qianyu was leaning on the couch reading a book when Xiang Yue walked in excitedly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xia was just taken to Zichen Palace by Nanny Song."
"Do you know the reason?"
Xiang Yue leaned forward and said solemnly, "I heard that Nanny Song found three puppets in the courtyard of Mingde Palace."
Baozhan, who was fanning herself nearby, said in disbelief, "Using witchcraft in the palace is a capital crime."
Just as Baozhan said, witchcraft is the most taboo thing in any dynasty.
Nanny Song took the dirty things she had found to the Zichen Palace to report. The empress dowager was furious when she saw the birth date and horoscope on the doll. She didn't even conduct a trial and directly ordered Xia to be executed with a white silk cloth.
But Xia never knew who had harmed her until her death.
Zhao Yuancheng woke up in the evening. When he heard that the doll had been found in Mingde Palace, he said nothing, but his face looked extremely ugly.
After all, Xia was his first woman and the biological mother of the eldest princess. He would never let her down no matter what.
But it is really hateful that she can be so foolish as to win favor.
The Queen took the medicine from the maid and carefully dried it, saying thoughtfully, "When Queen Mother saw that thing, she immediately sent Xia to exile. But the princess is now without her biological mother to take care of her, which is really pitiful."
Zhao Yuancheng sneered, "Having such a vicious mother is Yan'er's greatest pity."
The Queen remained silent, merely looking down as she fiddled with the medicine in her hand. Zhao Yuancheng then asked Concubine Xi, "I heard she broke out in a rash on her face from something she used. Did the Imperial Physician check it out?"
"I've already been there. The Imperial Hospital just sent someone to report back, saying there's nothing serious. I just need to take good care of myself."
Zhao Yuancheng hummed, then turned aside and instructed Zhu Yu, "I remember when I first ascended the throne, the gift sent by Nan'an Kingdom included two bottles of Pearl Peach Blossom Jade Face Cream. One bottle was sent to Huayang Palace, and the other bottle, you can send to Zhilin Palace later."
"Yes, I obey your order."
The Queen smiled and handed over the dried medicine, "The Emperor really values my two sisters."
Zhao Yuancheng took the medicine and just smiled without saying anything. "I haven't visited Chen'er these past few days. Is Chen'er okay?"
Speaking of her son, a gentle smile graced the empress's brows. "It rained continuously the past few days, and Chen'er kept crying. But don't worry, Your Majesty. The imperial physician has already come to see him, and he said it was just due to the weather, and he's not seriously ill."
Zhao Yuancheng nodded, "Then I am relieved."
After leaving the Purple Palace, Jin Mei said with some concern, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xi comes from a distinguished family, and her father helped the Emperor suppress the Eastern Tomb. I'm a little worried that if Concubine Xi has a child in the future, it will be detrimental to us."
The Queen looked up at the golden sunset glow of Tianji Bian and smiled confidently, "Dajing has been around for a hundred years. Have you ever seen a concubine from a military family give birth to a child?"
Jin Mei thought about it carefully and suddenly realized, "Yes, General Yun holds military power, and the emperor will definitely be wary of him."
"So, why should we worry? Our dynasty has always established the legitimate heir first and then the eldest son. My son Chen'er is both the legitimate son and the eldest son. As long as I hold on to my position as empress and raise Chen'er to adulthood, who can surpass me?"
"Your Majesty is wise."
That night, Cui'er entered Huayang Palace again. She was always sad about Concubine Xia's death.
But when Fu Qianyu took out the bag that had been prepared for her in advance, her fear immediately disappeared.
"My Lady, what is this?"
"I promised you that I would let you leave the palace, and I will not break my promise. These things are enough for you to eat and drink for the rest of your life."
Cui Er immediately knelt on the ground, tears of gratitude streaming down her face, "Thank you so much for your grace, Your Majesty. Thank you so much for your grace."
"Get up." Fu Qianyu tilted her head slightly, tugging at the delicate pearl beside her ear. "I have already contacted Eunuch Zhou from the Imperial Food Bureau. Go find him early tomorrow. He will help you leave the palace."
After Cui'er left, Lingyun dismissed the palace maids serving in the room.
"This was done perfectly, and Cui'er was truly dedicated." Lingyun made Fu Qianyu another cup of hot tea. "But I don't understand. That aphrodisiac incense was enough to kill Xia. Why did you let Cui'er release the doll into Mingde Palace? It was a risk after all."
Fu Qianyu explained with a smile, "The amount of the aphrodisiac incense is not large, so I can't guarantee that by the time the imperial physician discovers that the emperor is ill, there will be clues in Mingde Palace."
Lingyun nodded in understanding, "But Madam, are you really not afraid of witchcraft?"
"Everyone has their own destiny, and wealth and honor are in the hands of God." Fu Qianyu looked out the window and smiled meaningfully, "If you are afraid of taking three steps before one step, then forget about planning anything."
"I understand." Lingyun nodded and smiled knowingly. "But I've secretly inquired about Zhilin Palace, and the Imperial Hospital only said that the rash on Concubine Xi's face is caused by an allergy. Your Majesty, I'm a little worried. Will Concubine Xi tell the Emperor about this?"
"If she dares to tell the emperor, she will be courting death."
"There is one more thing that I do not understand. I hope Your Majesty can enlighten me."
Fu Xiyu raised her eyes to look at her, "You want to ask how I confirmed that the Snow Soul Grass was brought in by Concubine Xi."
Lingyun smiled and said, "Your Majesty is truly very perceptive. You actually know what I am thinking."
"Snow Soul Grass grows in bitterly cold lands and is unique to Dongling Country. Ever since the Emperor ascended the throne, Dongling Country has been eager to take action. And now, it's Concubine Xi's father who is guarding the border of Dongling Country. It wouldn't be easy for her to get these things."
Ling Yun sighed softly, then said with some relief, "This is what you call reaping what you sow."
There was a witchcraft incident in the harem, and everyone in the harem was in a panic, but fortunately the guards did not find any dirty things elsewhere.
Now that Xia was dead, who would raise the eldest princess became the biggest topic of conversation in the harem.
Logically speaking, the person with the highest rank in the harem now is the Imperial Concubine, followed by Fu Qianyu. No matter who raises the princess, it is legitimate.
But the emperor did not take any action for a long time, so the eldest princess had to be sent to Fengqi Palace first.
Because of her facial injury, Concubine Xi has not left Zhilin Palace for a while, and Zhao Yuancheng's health is gradually recovering under the care of the imperial physician.
The harem in midsummer has always been peaceful, but the front court has gradually become unstable.
Before the Chinese Valentine's Day, the Dongling Kingdom launched a night attack, burning most of our army's food and supplies, and forcing our army to retreat step by step. Not only that, the border was already short of water and food.
Before long, our soldiers developed various complications such as malaria.
Zhao Yuancheng was extremely busy for a while, either meeting ministers or reviewing memorials, and he looked visibly haggard.
When the news reached the harem, the concubines were also in panic.
Only when the country is stable can they have a good life. The queen even led everyone to kneel in the Dharma Flower Hall every day to recite scriptures, praying for early stability in the border.
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